4 Best Restaurants in Invercargill, Otago, Invercargill, and Stewart Island

A spacious dining room done in wood and brick provides the setting for dining on a large menu of classic, hearty Kiwi fare including hot-smoked salmon and braised lamb shanks; there's something for everyone, including vegetarians. The wine list includes mostly New Zealand vintages, with a few Australian wines as well. The outdoor garden bar is a perfect place to enjoy the Southland sun and a glass of wine; forget driving and make use of a courtesy vehicle for pickup/drop-off within Otatara and Invercargill city.

The authentic Indian food on the good-size menu at this family-run restaurant is cooked in a traditional charcoal-fired tandoor oven. Som, the friendly owner, welcomes diners into a former bank building that is now a spacious, 74-seat restaurant with wood floors and stylish modern decor. Lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian plates prepared in different ways give diners plenty of choices. A long list of New Zealand and Australian wines, as well as local craft beers, are on offer.  

Influenced by the flavors of northern India (and the kitchen of founder Sukhi's grandmother), this family business began in Dunedin and now has restaurants spanning the country. The spacious and modern eateries offer traditional cooking methods; warm hospitality and generous portions keep diners coming back. The display of lampshades covering one wall is an odd decorative choice given the lack of embellishment elsewhere, but an open fireplace adds a nice touch during winter. There's a good selection of Indian beers and an excellent choice of wines that complement the dishes. Reservations are a good idea, but not a requirement.

You could easily walk past this stylish place, tucked inside a shopping courtyard. The kitchen employs bounty from the nearby bush and sea paired with inventive sauces and sides. Share a "rummage board" (tapas-style plate loaded with seafood, chorizo, olives, cheese, and crusty bread) with friends while you ponder the menu. Terra-cotta, brick, and river stone give off an Invercargill-meets-Tuscany vibe.

This enormously popular restaurant on the way to Oreti Beach (past the airport) is a local favorite. Ziff's does steak, blue cod, chicken, and pasta, and customers love the seafood bowl and slow-braised meat pie. The establishment provides a free courtesy shuttle from Invercargill and environs, so you can indulge in their excellent wines and cognacs, too.